Spotlight Now

Health care leaders weigh in on the proposed HMSA-Hawaii Pacific Health partnership. Then, Aloha United Way's CEO Michelle Bartell discusses the nonprofit’s annual 211 report.

Gov. Josh Green sits down with Spotlight Now a day after his fourth State of the State address to discuss his top priorities for the 2026 legislative session. Amid the federal government’s immigration crackdown, Gov. Green will comment on the future of ICE enforcement in Hawaii. The governor will also share his thoughts on One Health Hawaii, the potential partnership between HMSA and Hawaii...

On this episode of Spotlight Now, Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda sits down to talk about the pressing challenges facing the Big Island and potential pay raises for all county workers. He also provides an update on a bus crash that sent 22 people to the hospital. Then Stuart Coleman, executive director of Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations, sheds light on the state’s cesspool convers...

Spotlight Now welcomes two guests to explore Hawaii's relationship with the military when it comes to water and land leases. The Board of Water Supply is suing the U.S. Navy for $1.2 billion to help clean up the 2021 Red Hill fuel spill. BWS manager and chief engineer Ernie Lau says he has been asking the Navy to share their monitoring data, but they have not cooperated. Meanwhile, negotiations co...

Aloha Stadium is just weeks away from demolition day. On this episode of Spotlight Now, we sit down with the lead developer and the governor’s senior advisor on the project to discuss the project's next phase, including what fans can expect from the new build, and how school and housing plans tie into the redevelopment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Josh Green announced Tuesday on Spotlight Now that he plans to sign an executive order within a week regulating e-bike safety across the islands. This comes during a sharp rise in traffic deaths, along with e-bike and motorcycle crashes. Green also discusses specific requests he has for the federal government in exchange for military land leases. Lastly, Green responds to a recent threat...

Hawaii nonprofits are losing millions of dollars in federal funding. Local organizations are sounding the alarm about programs that could be cut and the impacts that can have on our community and the economy. Joining us on Spotlight Now to explain are: Shawn Kanaiaupuni, Partners in Development CEO Trey Gordner, University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) Melissa Miyashiro, Ha...

Spotlight Now welcomed Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi to discuss key city issues, including the Wahiawa landfill site and efforts to retain police officers. Then City Council chair Tommy Waters discusses the recent shakeup in leadership at Honolulu Hale and the future of his political career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Gov. Josh Green has an update on negotiations with the military regarding expiring land leases, and his wish list. Plus, he shares his frustrations on the slow, costly development of Aloha Stadium, and touches on other state priorities and potential revenue streams, including the idea of legalizing marijuana and gambling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spotlight Now sits down with Hawaii Department of Transportation director Ed Sniffen to discuss the evacuations on July 29 during a tsunami warning. Then, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs chair Kai Kahele is in the hot seat to defend OHA's budget process amid criticism. He also discussed priorities for the office, including the development of Kakaako Makai.   See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

Today on Spotlight Now, we’re speaking to Governor Josh Green about everything from the Hawaii Tourism Board to national news. We also hear Gov. Green’s reaction to the senate's decision to pass President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” and how this affects Hawaii. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Spotlight Now, we’re speaking to Dr. Kamanaʻopono Crabbe, David Sun Miyashiro, executive director of Hawaii Kids Can and Mele Kānealiʻi Hawai’i State Youth Commissioner on the Rediscovering Hawaii’s Soul movement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Spotlight Now, we’re speaking to Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation deputy executive director Mike O’Keefe and project director Vance Tsuda. Then we’re joined by City and County of Honolulu deputy director of Transportation Services Jon Nouchi. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on Spotlight Now, we’re speaking to leaders of local nonprofit organizations about how they’re navigating federal funding cuts, and how the state might be stepping in to help: Michelle Bartell, Aloha United Way CEO; Amanda Pump, Child and Family Service CEO; and Amy Miller, Hawaii Foodbank CEO. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode of Spotlight Now, we’re joined by Gov. Josh Green to go over the bills he plans to veto from this past legislative session. Then we interview Keith Regan, state comptroller and head of Hawaii’s Department of Accounting and General Services. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Spotlight Now, we're joined by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, for the latest out of Washington, D.C. Then we sit down with Carl Bonham, University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization executive director, for a check on Hawaii's economic outlook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura join us for a look back at the legislative session. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Spotlight Now, we’re exploring how changes to the U.S. Department of Education and its dismantling are affecting schools and public education in Hawaii. Here to shed light on the impacts are: Keith Hayashi, Schools Superintendent; Logan Okita, Hawaii State Teachers Association Vice President and Nimitz Elementary teacher; and Karen Lee, Honolulu Community Co...

On this episode of Spotlight Now, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi says he’s still pushing forward with a proposed landfill in Central Oahu. He also addresses affordable housing, Honolulu’s rail project, and staffing challenges at the city. As for the University of Hawaii’s search for a new athletics director, Blangardi says it's a job he would seek himself, if he were not mayor. U...

On this episode of Spotlight Now, we’re talking about the future of Oahu’s next landfill. Joining us for the discussion are Department of Environmental Services director Roger Babcock, Honolulu City Council member Matt Weyer, and Sierra Club of Hawaii director Wayne Tanaka. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Josh Green is fresh off a press conference where he confirmed a travel-related case of measles in a child under the age of 5 on Oahu. Plus he discusses economic impacts to the state from President Trump's tariffs and the stock market. And meet his new dog, Boba! She's named after both the drink and the Star Wars character. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special edition of Spotlight Now, students from Kamehameha Schools Maui roll up their sleeves – literally – taking action to help restore Hawaiʻi’s lands and cultural practices. The first half of the show highlights work to replant native species in Kuʻia, demonstrating how revitalizing the land strengthens both the environment and the connection to place. In the second h...

On today’s episode of Spotlight Now, we’re joined by Hawaii Emergency Services Department (HESD) director Jim Ireland, and Institute for Human Services (IHS) executive director Connie Mitchell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Josh Green joins today’s episode of “Spotlight Now.” Plus, we sit down with James Tokioka, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode of “Spotlight Now” features the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Tourism officials have a preview their spring tourism update, which will be released Wednesday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.